Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-02-17

suddenly behind him, but as quickly stopped.
One of the motionless trees had apparently
closed upon the vehicle, and what had seemed
to be q bough projecting from it at right
angles changed slowly into the family shin
ing double barrels of a gun at the window.
drop thatl" said the voice
The man who had moved uttered short
laugh and returned his hand empty TO his
knees. The two others perceptibly shrugged
their shoulders as over q game that was lost.
The remaining passenger, John Hale, fearless
by nature, inexperienced by habit, awaking
suddenly TO the truth, conceived desperate
resistance. But without his making a ges-
ture this was instinctively felt by the others;
the muzzle of the gun turned spontaneously
ON him, and he was vaguely conscious of
certain contempt and impotence of him in
his companions
"Git down." repeated the voice impera-
lively
The three passengers descended. Hale,
furious, alert, but helpless of any opportu-
nity followed. He was surprised to find the
stage driver and express messenger standing
He instinctively looked toward the horses.
He could see nothing.
Hold up your hands!p
One of the passengers had already lifted
his, in weary, perfunctory way. The others
did the same reluctantly and awkwardly,
but apparently more from the consciousness
of the righteousness of their attitude than
from any sense Of danger. The rays Of
bulls eye lantern, deity managed by in
visible hands, while it left the intruders in
shadow, completely illuminated the faces and
figures of the passengers. In spite of the
majestic obscurity and silence of surround
ing nature, the group Of humanity thus il
Illuminated was more farcical than dramatic.
A scrap of newspaper, part of a sandwich,
and an orange peel that had fallen from the
floor of the coach, brought into equal prom
hlence by the searching light, completed the
absurdity.
"There is man here with o package of
greenbacks,n said voice, with an official
GOODNESS that lent certain suggestion Of
custom house inspection to the transaction;
"who is it," The passengers looked at each
other, and their glance finally settled on
Hale
"Its not him." continued the voice, with
slight tinge of contempt on the emphasis
"Youll save time and searching, gentlemen,
if you'll tote it out. If we've got to go
through every one of you We'll try to make
it pay"
The significant threat was not unheeded.
The passenger who had first moved when the
stage stopped put his hand to his breast.
"Tother pocket first, if you please" said
tho voice.
The man laughed, drew pistol from his
hip pocket, and, under the strong light of the
lantern, laid it on a spot in the road indicated
by the voice. A thick envelope, taken from
his breast pocket, was laid beside it. II told
the id fools that gave it to me, instead Of
sending it by express, it would be at their
own risk, he said apologetically.
"As it's going with the express now it'sall
the same" said tho inevitable humorist of the
occasion, pointing 10 the despoiled express
treasure box already in the road
The intention and elaboration of the out
rage was plain enough to Hale's inexperience
now Yet he could not understand the cool
acquiescence of his fellow passengers, and
was furious His reflections were interrupted
by a voice which seemed to come from
greater distance He fancicd it was evea
softer in tone, as IL a certain austerity was
relaxed.
"Step in as quick as you like, gentlemen.
You've five minutes to wait, Bill"
Tho passengers re-entered the coach; the
driver and express messenger hurriedly
climbed to their places. Hale would have
spoken, but an impatient gesture from his
companions stopped him. They were evil
IDENTIFY listening for something; he listened
too.
Yet the silence remained unbroken. 1t
seemed Incredible that there should be no in
dication near or far of that forceful presence
which moment ago had been so dominant
No rustic in the wayside "brush" nor echo
from the rocky canyon below betrayed
sound Of their flight, A faint breeze stirred
the tall tips Of the pines, cone dropped on
the stage roof, one OF the invisible horses,
that seemed TO be listening too, moved slight
ly In his harness. But this only appeared to
accentuate the profound stiffness. The mo
ments were growing interminable, when the
voice, so near as to startle Hale, broke once
more from the surrounding ohscurity.
Good night"
1t was the signal that they were free. The
drivers whip cracked like q pistol shot, the
horses sprang furiously forward, the huge We
hicle lurched ahead and then bounded VIC
lently after them. When Hale could make
his voice heard in the confusion-a confusion
which seemed greater from the colorleS in
tensity Of their last few moments experience
he said hurriedly, Then that fellow was
there oil the timer
Il reckon returned his companion, 'he
stopped five minutes TO cover the driver with
his double barrel. until the two other men
got Off with the treasure
"The two othersl- gasped Hale. SThen
there were only three men, and we six
The man shrugged his shoulders. The pas
senger who bad given UP the greenbacks